Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-12-08
GRANDPA BRENTs GREAT SORROW
By AUNT MARGARET.

igal with her gifts of valley, hill, and
stream, when she created this charming
bit of country.
But there is in the whole region no
pleasanrer spot than the Brent place-a
large cottage situated on an eminence
which slopes gently down to clear, rip
pling brook. In front of the cottage are
fine old trees which seem like sentinels
keeping guard, while in the rear, and at
no great distance from the house, is
magnificent tract of woodland. Seats are
arranged within neighborly distances,
with here and there rustic rock for hold
ing books, papers, ETC., and the well trod-
den paths show that the occupants are in
accord with their surroundings.
The cottage was built with reference
to comfort, with large, airy rooms, and
broad veranda extending across the trout
and along the sides. Grandpa Brent, as
he was called by all the people In the
valley, and his widowed daughter, Eilnor
Gay, with her child, Annie, lived here In
comfort and happiness.
Grandpa Brent was grand old man,
erect, broad-shouldered, over six feet In
height with massive head, over which
eighty winters had passed, leaving his
hair as white as the driver snow. But
his gray eyes had merry twinkle, and
his smile was SO pleasant that to meet
him was to feel that you were In the pres
ence of one whose life had been pure
and holy. 1t seemed fitting that his days
should be Passt d among the trees and by
crystal stream, for he was truly one of ma
lures noblemen.
His wife had been dead many years
but he never spoke of her as being dead
always saying: "She is waiting for me
on the other side; please God, we shall
meet again"
When some years ago Mr.. Gay died.
and Elinor came home bringing the
little Annie, brOwn-eyed, golden haired
dot of girl, her father was so taken up
with the child that she feared he would
spoil her. "Blessed little lamb" he call
ed her, and every evening when the old
man knelt in his accustomed place, and
with reverent voice thanked God for His
tender mercies, and for the many pleas
ant things In this beautiful world, he
never forgot to thank Him for the bless
ed lamb who always knelt beside him
WITH her little fat hands c.asped, and
with eyes closed looked as pretty and
reverent as though she pretended the
petition.
thing she toddled out by herself and
gathered her apron full of blue violets,
and after much Juggling and twisting she
arranged them in her grandpa's hat 1t
was Sunday and they were ready for
church, and with laughing face she
presented the hat. Her mother said
'Surely, father, you won't go to church
decked out In that way. Take them out;
Annie won't care" But she did care,
and rather than hurt the child's feelings
he wore the hat just as she had fixed it.
That was long ago, and the little Annie
had grown to be lovely, graceful girl of
15, but her love for her grandfather was
idolatr0us. Everybody loved him. When
the new minister came the church was so
well filed that he thought himself the
cause, but old Mrs. Blake disabused his
mind when she told him that the people
came to hear Grandfather Brent pray,
and that if there was not a minister in
forty miles they would come all the same.
Poor old lady. She had seen no end of
trouble. Her husband died a druRkard,
and her son was following in his fathers
fOotsta ps, when Grandpa Brent took him
in hand and by his sweet Christian eoun-
sci inspired him with higher thoughts
and desire to follow better ways. Once
when Mrs Blake called the good old man
a saint, a neighbor demonstrated with her
say ing there were no saints in this world,
and that for all good her thanks should
be rendered to God. SWELL" she replied.
ST suppose there is a God, but He seems
afar off even in our deepest sorrow, and
believe had it not been for Mr.. Brent,
my son, who is now my pride and the
staff OF my life, would have filed a drunk
ards grave as did his father before him.
Why, when Sunday comes and feel tired
and discouraged, I go to church and
listen to a sermon about sogmas and
doctrines, get so mixed up that l can't
tell head or tail about it; .ut when the
sermon is over and Grandpa Brent gets
up and talks SO heavenly about the many
pleasant things we overlook in this world
of the neighborly kindnesses in time of
trouble, and that although evil exists
good will overcome it if we only help, and
then tells of the things in store for US
ia the beautiful world beyond my trouble
slips away, and when 1 leave the church
I feel that, like Christian, have laid my
burden down"
Sometimes visitors to the "glen," COM
ing upon this charming retreat, beg the
privilege of stopping month or so. And
more for the social life 1t affords Mrs
Cav and Annie than for fnancial consid-
eratiOns. Mr.. Brent now and then takes
a summer boerder or two. There is an
air of welcome about the place that
makes all who gain admittance feel per-
fectly at home. Even Towser, famous
Newfo midland. when he hears the click
of the gate, walks leisurely down the
path and, wagRing his tail. looks up at
the stranger as much as to say: "You
are very welcome here; we are glad to
see you" Dogs, as most people know,
are very much like their masters.
One pleasant summer day carriage
stopped at the gate and lady, introduce
ing herself as Mrs. Korrigan, inquired if
The could be accommodated fOs awhile
With rooms and board for herself and |
ION, the latter being in poor health. hav-
ing studied very hard at college. Mrs.
Cav said: you can come for while. |
This is restful, quiet spot; one can get !